We first met Diane when she was working at the local laundromat and we fell in love with her the minute she said, “Hello.” She has that effect on people. Maybe it's corny to call Diane a ray of sunshine but if you knew her, you'd totally agree. She just makes you happy and you want her to be around always. Diane was fred's very first full-time employee and we say, without hesitation, that we owe her the world.

Please tell everybody what you do at fredflare.com.
I work in the Receiving and Processing department, checking in all the new items as they arrive and preparing them for our customers. Receiving is good for me because it pushes me to learn more English, funny everyday words like “yummy” or “bling”.

Speaking of bling, you're a total wrap star here at fredflare.com, overseeing all gift wrap orders. Any tips for us?
There is definitely an art to it. You have to pull the paper very, very tight to make the gift look beautiful. Loose is no good. Also, use double sided tape so nothing shows. A box always makes
it easier!

Can you tell us about your life in China before you came to NYC?
When I lived in China I worked at a hospital as a nurse. I liked that a lot because I love to help people, but it was hard working the night shift!

You've said before that China and the United States are very different. Can you give us an example?
The cultures of East and West are a world apart. I didn't really know anything about American history, traditions or food at all before I came here. Now I try to learn a little each day. One small thing I've noticed is that in China people rush in to help others, even strangers, maybe more quickly than here. In America it's seems better to ask, “May I help you?”

You recently visited your family back home in March. How was it?
I had a great time! I visited China to spend time with my mother and my sisters in Canton. So much has changed there! The streets are wider now and almost no one is riding bicycles anymore… Then I went to Vietnam to visit my sister-in-law. She has a beautiful new fruit farm!
At the end of the trip I went to Adelaide, in Australia, to see my mother-in-law. That was so relaxing. We also went to Melbourne which is a beautiful city.

Did you miss us?
Definitely! I missed the excitement. Our company has had a lot of changes in the last year. Now we have 20 people that work here at the warehouse. Last year at this time we only had four! So we all work really hard together and we're all learning as we go.

What do you do for fun?
If I'm feeling good, I like to meet my friends or have a stroll. If I feel tired then I love to just stay home and enjoy my favorite songs.

What kind the music do you like?
Mostly I like Chinese songs. My favorite singer is a Hong Kong artist named XuXiao Feng. Sometimes I play her during my Friday DJ set at fredflare.com. We all take turns playing music here and, though I enjoy what everyone plays, I don't always understand the words. So on Friday it's my turn! Kalani helped me pick my DJ name because I wasn't sure what that was at first. I chose DJ Bun because I eat a bun every day for lunch!

How would you describe your co-workers in one sentence or less?
I would say that everybody who works at fredflare.com is very nice, always smiling, but they work serious!

Anything special you'd like to say to our customers?
I would like to say "Hi!" and "Thanks for shopping with us!" Please email me at inventory@fredflare.com I'd love to hear from you.


06/2005



DIARY ARCHIVES: fred friends Estelle, Lights, One Night Only, Rye Rye, next BIG thing! 2008, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Top Model's Sarah Vonderhaar, Jack Mackenroth, Think Pink writer Lisa Clark, Kit Pistol, Au Revoir Simone, Supayana, What the Buck, Peter Bjorn and John, Ratatat, next BIG thing! 2007, shoe designer Jeffrey Campbell, Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone, heartist Chris Uphues, Alison Kelly of Dahl, Stephanie Deleau of Noisette, Marilyn Patrizio of M.Partizio, Liam Sullivan of Kelly "Shoes", Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, next BIG thing! 2006, Jill Bliss, next BIG thing! 2005, Loop NYC's China Young, Sukie, The Donnas, Vinnie's Tampon Case, Leah Tinari, Peach Berzerk, The Sperber twins, Jennifer Worick, Cody, Patch NYC 2, Chip Wass, Angela Adams, Venue, Jack and Lulu 2, All Girl Summer Fun Band, 31 Corn Lane, Charlotte Ronson, Three by Three Seattle, Princess Tina, Imperial Teen, Built by Wendy 2, Dana Carlson, Sweden, Jack and Lulu 1, Bob's Your Uncle, Mary Ping & Jonathan Adler, E-Z Living, Built by Wendy 1, Endicott Five, Patch NYC 1, media blitz Mod*Mom, Aya Kanai from Nylon, Grace Bonney of Design Sponge, Samantha Moeller of Missbehave, Marie Kare of The Sampler, Pink Is The New Blog's Trent Vanegas, Martha Stewart Kids' Jodi Levine, BUST's Debbie Stoller, YM's Elizabeth Kiester, Cargo's Ariel Foxman, teeter on tour back to brooklyn, she's so rad, double handsome, wild pony, enchanted treehouse, beanz-n- rice, wide open road, crush Teeter Sperber, Kelis, Jennifer Garner, Kylie Minogue, Charlie Brown, Scarlett Johansson, employee of the month Julie, Jen, Sammy Joe & Joe Sammy, Amy, Vanessa, Tim, Anne, Chanel, Josh, Lauren, Diane, Charles, Lillian, nancy drew review the haunted bridge, the whispering statue, the mystery of the ivory charm, the message in the hollow oak, the clue of the broken locket, password to larkspur lane, the sign of the twisted candles, nancy's mysterious letter, the clue in the diary, the secret of red gate farm, the secret of shadow ranch, the mystery at lilac inn, the bungalow mystery, the hidden staircase, the secret of the old clock, lulu in the city lulu luvs, extra! extra! read all about it!, pink Christmas, thanks, new york!, single in the city, spooky lulu, roller girl, jersey girl, no lights, big city, it was a "red hot" summer!, miss independence, billyburg shopping guide, lulu and the kitty, in like a lion, out like a lamb, my best friend joe, hotpants!, the queen of brooklyn, summer in the city, the anniversary party, garbage & neighbors & mice...oh my!, lulu in the city, cheap & cheerful give thanks, hula hoops, a piece of pi, cupcakes, fred fleur, tommy: mini mode happy summer days, it's a mod, mod world, good night, sweet dreams, my girl, keep on marching, one fine day, supermodels Dana's Lucky magazine shoot, hi-fi holiday honeys, supermodel Hillary's Warhol, fallfabulous, supermodel challenge, covergirls, fred on tour Paris Dispatch: Eiffel Awesomeness, Paris Dispatch: Just Strollin', Paris Dispatch: From Colette w/ Love, Paris Dispatch: Marie & The Moulin, Paris Dispatch: Bonjour, Peeps!, behind the music, San Fredcisco, LA Flare, chartoppers: the 80's 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, chartoppers: madonna Hard Candy, Confessions on a Dance Floor, reinvention tour recap, reinvention contest winners, Madonna, Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer, I'm Breathless, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, Music, American Life, top 50 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, window shopping 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, sales and events Store Cute Grand Opening, Fall Sample Sale 2008, Carnival of Cute: Holiday 2006, Fall Sample Sale 2006, Pool Party 2006, Holiday Sale 2003, let's skate, Holiday Sale 2002, Holiday Sale 2001, Holiday Sale 2000, Spring Sale 2000